A huge solar farm next to a tiny UK seaside village is set to be given the green light. Those against the project argue that it would ruin precious marshland, with those seeking to get it over the line insisting that the panels opposite Marten Farm, off St. Mary’s Road, Dymchurch, Romney Marsh, in Kent, would power 10,000 homes a year. Near the site is the village of St. Mary’s Bay.
Planning documents submitted to the council by energy firm Environmena read: “The solar farm will support the rural economy through farm diversification, allowing continued agricultural use for sheep grazing and ensuring that decommissioning after the 40-year operational period will see the land returned to (at least) its current condition.”
But objectors have said the scheme would harm the landscape. Pamela Batt said: “While I fully support using solar panels to produce energy in the right locations, such as on roofs, car parks and existing brownfield or industrial sites, using good agricultural land for this purpose is unforgivable.
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READ MORE: UK’s little-known ‘pirate island’ is car-free with pub that bans phones “The site at St Mary in the Marsh is a beautiful rural setting, and changing its use would be totally out of keeping with the area.”
“In addition, allowing it would set a dangerous precedent for future applications. It would destroy a large area of habitat for a variety of species and destroy the quality of the soil for generations to come. What hope will there be for tomorrow’s young farmers when there is no land left to farm?”
The Local Democracy Reporting Service reported via KentLive that Leanne Etherington said: “Please leave our Marsh alone. We have an abundance of wildlife that live here and use the marsh as a home and food source.”
Environmena’s chief development officer, Mark Harding, said: “Our plans will strengthen the local ecosystem – not damage it,” he added.
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“This project will make a meaningful contribution to the UK’s net-zero ambitions while delivering real and lasting benefits for the local environment and community.
“It will also support Folkestone & Hythe District Council’s declared climate and ecological emergency commitments, helping accelerate the transition to renewable energy, cut carbon emissions and enhance biodiversity in line with the council’s ‘net zero by 2030’ objectives and wider district‐wide climate action goals.”
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